Being a throwback to that beloved period of hippiedom known as 1968-1972, I’m surprised at myself for not having ever seen Easy Rider. Until last night. “Dude,” I said to my wife, who’s not actually a dude, “I can’t believe I’ve never seen this movie.”
“I know, Dude,” she said, ‘cuz I am a dude, “it’s the ultimate ’60′s period piece. If they would combine Easy Rider with Northern Exposure, they’d be describing your dream world.”
True enough.
Jack Nicholson’s conversation with Dennis Hopper, while sitting by the fire, is brilliant. Amazing how poignant it is today.
http://youtu.be/zHd6m_cirrU
It got me thinking about other music movies from the period (or, better stated, movies with great music). I always liked Play Misty For Me. Even though it’s more a thriller than a music movie, Clint plays a poetry-reading jazz DJ. Kinda like a 1960′s version of the guy on … Northern Exposure!
And then there was The Graduate. Dustin Hoffman’s vulnerability, Anne Bancroft’s insanity and, of course, the classic “plastics” scene. All to the score of the ultimate contemplative folkies of the 1960′s, Simon & Garfunkel.
Originally published on WNEW on February 6, 2009.
